Question Answer Gardening Tips and Plant Care

Got a question about growing vegetables, caring for houseplants, or fixing lawn problems? This Q&A section shares quick, practical answers from real gardening experiences. Learn how to keep roses blooming, stop pests from eating your lettuce, and choose the right soil for potted herbs. Whether you’re curious about composting tips or need help reviving drooping leaves, you’ll find simple, step-by-step advice here. Each answer is designed to save you time, prevent mistakes, and make gardening more enjoyable. Explore topics for every season, from spring planting to winter plant care, so you can grow healthier, more beautiful plants all year long.

Recent Question Answer - Plant Care Tips

Do Peppermint Plants Spread?

Yes, peppermint plants are famously vigorous spreaders, a characteristic that makes them both a gardener's delight and, sometimes, a bit of a challenge to manage. Belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae), peppermint is well-known for its enthusiastic growth habit, often expanding far beyond its initial planting spot if left unchecked. This sprawling nature is a key feature of the plant, driven by effective natural propagation methods that allow it to quickly colonize new areas in your garden. Understanding how and why peppermint spreads so readily is essential for anyone considering adding this fragrant herb to their outdoor space.
Does Rosemary Oil Kill Bugs?

Rosemary oil, derived from the fragrant rosemary plant (Rosmarinus officinalis), is indeed recognized for its insecticidal and repellent properties, meaning it can be quite effective against a variety of common household and garden pests. The effectiveness of rosemary oil doesn't stem from a single magical component but rather from a complex mix of natural compounds that interfere with insect physiology and behavior. While it's not a universal bug killer like some synthetic pesticides, its natural origins make it a popular choice for those seeking less harsh alternatives for pest control in certain situations.
Do Store Bought Roses Have Pesticides?

When you pick up a beautiful bouquet of roses from a grocery store or a flower shop, it's natural to wonder about their journey and how they were grown. The truth is, the vast majority of cut flowers, including those lovely store-bought roses, are cultivated in environments that frequently use pesticides to ensure they reach consumers looking their absolute best. This practice helps growers protect their delicate crops from pests and diseases, which can quickly ruin a flower's appearance and market value. So, while you're enjoying their beauty, it's generally a safe assumption that these blooms have been treated with various chemicals during their growth cycle.
Do Onions Remove Toxins from the Air?

The belief that onions can draw toxins or germs from the air, often seen in folk remedies or old wives' tales, is a fascinating concept that has circulated for generations. Many cultures have historically used onions for a variety of medicinal purposes, leading some to extend these perceived benefits to their environment. While onions possess certain compounds that give them their distinctive smell and some nutritional value, their ability to purify the air in a significant or measurable way isn't supported by scientific evidence. This notion often stems from misunderstandings about how air purification actually works and the biological properties of vegetables.
Does Home Depot Have Cat Trees?

While Home Depot is renowned for its vast selection of home improvement products, ranging from lumber and tools to appliances and garden supplies, it doesn't typically stock cat trees or other specialized pet furniture. Their inventory focuses heavily on items for home construction, renovation, and outdoor living, making pet accessories a less common find within their typical product offerings. Shoppers looking to provide their feline companions with engaging vertical spaces and scratching opportunities will generally need to explore other retail avenues specifically dedicated to pet supplies.
Are Russian Mammoth Sunflower Seeds Edible?

Many gardeners delight in growing the impressive Russian Mammoth sunflower (Helianthus annuus), a majestic variety known for its towering height and enormous flower heads. The sight of these giants reaching for the sky, often stretching 10 to 12 feet tall with faces a foot or more across, is truly a spectacle. As the season progresses and those magnificent blooms mature, the center of the flower head gradually fills with hundreds of plump, striped seeds, prompting a very common and practical question among growers.
How do You Check a Lawn Mower Coil?

When your lawn mower cranks but simply won't start, or runs roughly and then dies, many frustrated homeowners quickly suspect fuel issues or a fouled spark plug. However, a less obvious but equally critical component in the ignition system, the ignition coil (often just called the coil), can also be the silent culprit. This seemingly simple part is responsible for transforming low-voltage electricity into the high-voltage spark needed to ignite the fuel-air mixture in the engine.
What Is the Watering Frequency for Anthracnose in Rubber Plant?

Many houseplant enthusiasts adore the bold, glossy leaves of the Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica), appreciating its striking architectural presence indoors. However, like many plants, it can occasionally fall victim to various ailments, including a troublesome fungal issue known as anthracnose. This disease manifests as unsightly spots on the leaves, leading to discoloration and potential leaf drop, making gardeners keen to understand how to best manage it, particularly concerning their watering habits.
How do You Bind a Potholder?

Crafting a handmade potholder is a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your kitchen, offering both practicality and charm. Whether you've woven it on a loom, crocheted it, or stitched together layers of fabric and batting, the raw edges often need a neat and durable finish to prevent fraying and give the item a polished look. This final touch, known as binding, is what truly elevates a simple fabric square into a sturdy, long-lasting kitchen essential.
Does Parsley Grow on Parsnips?

Many gardeners are familiar with the vibrant green leaves of parsley (Petroselinum crispum), a beloved herb that graces culinary dishes around the world. Similarly, the starchy, often forgotten root vegetable, the parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), is recognized for its sweet, earthy flavor when roasted or pureed. Both plants share a noticeable family resemblance in their foliage, with delicate, often deeply cut leaves that can lead to some curious observations in the garden.